Hebrew Roots/Holy Days/Great Last Day/Morning Service

1. INTRODUCTION Leader: This last day of Shemini Atzeret, the eighth concluding day of Sukkot prefigures for us the endless cycles of eternity when the life-giving power of the Almighty will flow to and through His people on the earth in the world to come (Olam Habah). It is a time of great rejoicing for us as we look forward to being fully immersed in the river of life which proceeds from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King of the universe and our merciful Heavenly Father, Who is praised by His people and glorified by the tongue of his pious servants. We glorify You and declare Your Name and Your rule, O God and our King. You are the Life-Giver to the worlds; You are the King to be praised and Your great Name glorified forever and ever. Blessed are You, Lord, the King Who is to be praised. Amen.

4. SCRIPTURE READING Blessing: Ba-ruch a-ta Yahweh, El-o-hay-nu me-lech ha-o-lam, a-sher ba-char ba-noo; mee-kol ha-a-meem, Ve-na-tan la-nu et To-ra-to. Ba-ruch a-ta Yahweh, no-tain ha-Torah. Blessed are You Yahweh, our Elohim, King of the universe, Who has chosen us from all peoples, and has given us His Torah. Blessed are You Yahweh, the Giver of the Torah.

Readings: John 7:37-39; Isaiah 44: 3--4; Revelation 22: 1-5

5. SIMCHAT BEIT HASHOEVAH - Celebration of Water Pouring This may be done as a symbolic act as the water-pouring ceremony at the altar in the temple or as a water libation.

In the temple era, the High Priest led a procession off the Temple Mount and through the streets of Jerusalem to bring up a pitcher of living water to be poured out on the altar of the Temple. There, he is handed a silver pitcher full of wine. Pouring them out together, he prays for two things. First, he prays for rains, the former and the later rains. Then he prays “God in heaven, send Your Messiah soon and in our days. We cry out for our Mashiach (our Messiah) now.

Reader: "And the Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take of the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17

6. PRAYER FOR THE SPIRITUAL HARVEST A traditional prayer called "Tefilat Geshem" is recited for rain in the coming season for the crops. We are told to pray for the spiritual rain, the 'latter rain' to bring the last harvest of the earth to maturity. Readings: Zechariah 10: 1; Joel 2:23-27 32 James 5: 7-8